Chapter 2 : The Peculiar guide Aaron
"The most suitable guide in the town is undoubtedly Aaron," declared the guild receptionist as she handed me a worn piece of paper bearing his name. "However, before you seek his services, I must caution you. Aaron is a bit peculiar compared to other guides. Do not misunderstand; I do not speak ill of him. It is simply that his mannerisms are somewhat unconventional, despite his undeniable expertise for the job."
Though I typically pride myself on my independence as an adventurer, it is not within my nature to solicit aid from outsiders. Yet, given the gravity of the mission bestowed upon me by the empress herself, there is no room for error. So for that I have to take another person's Help in this mission.
The task I've been given involves scouring the Dreadmoor Ruins in Zahra Forest for an ancient relic. These ruins lie along the southern border of the Lagonica Kingdom. Currently, I'm stationed in Ashmael, a frontier town nestled near the kingdom's southern border.
In the Eastern continent, the Dreadmoor Ruins stand as a testament to danger, harboring deadly high-grade monsters amidst its crumbling walls. Yet, within these treacherous ruins lie treasures of the highest order – relics and artifacts dating back to the Pre-Divine Age. Though the acquisition of such treasures is deemed near-impossible, a select few illustrious adventurers have managed to claim divine artifacts, ascending to unparalleled levels of power and prestige.
As I ponder the empress's quest for the divine relic known as The Ring of Shangrak, I find myself questioning her motives. With her possession of numerous Grade 1 relics and the most potent divine relic known to humanity, one cannot help but wonder why she seeks further artifacts. Nevertheless, it is not my place to challenge the empress's decisions; my duty is to fulfil her desires and uphold her wishes.
With a mental note firmly in place, I exit the guild hall and glance down at the parchment handed to me by the guild receptionist, bearing the name "(The Wyvern Inn) Aaron."
Without wasting a moment, I headed straight for the inn located smack dab in the middle of town. It didn't take me long to arrive, and as I pushed open the door, I was met with a bustling scene. The place was alive with activity, adventurers and locals alike chatting away over drinks, creating a vibrant and noisy atmosphere.
Weaving my way through the lively crowd, I made my way to the counter. The bartender spotted me and motioned for me to take a seat, which I gladly did.
"What can I get for you? Lunch, or something stronger?" the bartender inquired.
Without uttering a word, I slid the paper across the counter towards him. He picked it up, his hands unfolding the document. His eyes scanned the contents, and then, with a peculiar glance in my direction, he uttered, "He's upstairs," pointing towards the staircase.
.....
Upon ascending to the second floor of the inn, my eyes fell upon a figure cloaked in a rather unconventional style of black garment, seated before a table positioned by a small window.
That must be him.
With measured steps, I approached, and the figure, sensing my approach, turned to meet my gaze.
His countenance was veiled by a small swath of cloth, yet his eyes pierced through, a vivid scarlet hue contrasting against his silver locks. Despite his youthful appearance, likely no more than 17 or 18 years old, a sense of familiarity nagged at me. Had I crossed paths with him before? The thought flickered in my mind, but I pushed it aside; there were more pressing matters at hand.
But was the information provided by the guild receptionist accurate? He hardly seemed like someone capable of guiding me through the perilous Dreadmoor Ruins.
He motioned for me to take a seat, and without hesitation, I complied.
Let's engage in conversation first, and then I'll consider.
He fixed his scarlet gaze on me for a moment, as if assessing my strength or intentions.
Interesting.
"No need for suspicion," I reassured him. "The Town Guild highly recommended you for your expertise in guiding, claiming you're the best in town for the job. So here I am, sitting in front of you. Does that put you at ease?" I chuckled softly, studying his expression intently.
Upon hearing my explanation, his demeanor shifted. Locking eyes with me, he replied, "I wasn't nervous; I simply wanted to see if we could work together effectively." He said In a solemn tone.
I grinned. "So, what's the verdict?"
He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's a whole different discussion. But let me take a wild guess. You're here because you need someone to guide you safely through the Dreadmoor Ruins, am I right?"
My grin widened as I spoke. "Though it pains me to admit it, yes, I do require your assistance to reach the ruins. Sure, I'm more than capable of getting there on my own, but this mission holds significant importance to me. I can't afford to take any unnecessary risks." As I talked, it seemed like this kid was tuning me out, as if my words were falling on deaf ears.
Clamping down on my frustration, I gritted my teeth and pressed on. "So, what's your price for lending a hand on this mission?"
The moment my words left my lips, his previously apathetic eyes flickered with newfound interest, fixing upon me with a seriousness that caught me off guard.
"What I want from you, in exchange for showing you the way, is plain and simple," he stated, pausing for emphasis. His gaze traveled the length of my body, a gesture that might have seemed lecherous to any casual onlooker, but I knew better. It wasn't desire fueling his scrutiny, but rather a shrewd attempt to discern my true worth, to determine what he could extract from me in return for his guidance.
A cunning individual indeed, though his arrogance was evident. Yet, I couldn't deny my confidence in his ability to get the job done.
As I waited with bated breath, he rose from his seat and approached me from behind, his hands gently resting on my shoulders. Leaning in close, his breath tickled my ear as he whispered,
"I want you."